SPARC, Inc.’s Post

💡 What if we told you your soft skills could be the key to an amazing career? Last week, as part of the Holiday Extras HX Gives Back programme, myself and two other brilliant colleagues (Sophie & Jo) had the privilege of speaking to Year 12 students at Turner Academy. Our mission? To inspire them about the world of work and show them how skills they already have – like teamwork, problem-solving, and communication – can unlock incredible opportunities. One of the highlights? Using the Call Centre role as an example. We showed how this role can be a gateway into the HX family, where many of our colleagues have launched their careers. Seeing those lightbulb moments in the students' eyes? Absolutely priceless. ✨ Here’s what made it special: ✔️ Authentic connections: The students asked some brilliant (and tough!) questions. ✔️ Positive impact: Teachers called the session “inspiring” – a real career moment for us! ✔️ Personal growth: Giving back wasn’t just rewarding – it was an opportunity for us to develop new skills too. 🤔 Thinking about volunteering? Do it. Trust me – it’s a game-changer for you and the community. 💬 Would love to hear – what’s been your most rewarding give-back experience? #LifeAtHX #HXGivesBack #VolunteerExperience #SkillsForTheFuture #CareerGrowth #GiveBack

If you're not used to sharing your accomplishments at work, join the club. Unfortunately, this club can have some pretty limiting benefits, like loss of available pay, career stalls, and watching peers get the job 𝘺𝘰𝘶 should have gotten. If you're uncomfortable sharing those accomplishments, there's a way to start to get comfortable: practice. 1. Focus on collaboration, framing contributions as the bigger picture: "I'm glad I could contribute to (project or goal) by focusing on (your part). I learned a lot, and seeing a big outcome feels good." 2. Focus on the data, sharing the results of your work objectively: "The process we put in place helped X KPI. I expect that trend to continue." 3. Focus on feedback, sharing your work as you ask for input: "I'd love your thoughts on (achievement or task)." The door opens to discuss your contributions naturally. You have my permission to talk about your contributions. It's important to you, your career, your growth, and your manager if you have a good one. I promise.

You nailed it, Heidi Lumpkin! I was speaking with one of my clients today, and she referred to this practice as keeping a “work journal.” 🤯💡 I love how she put it—such a simple yet powerful tool. Tracking your accomplishments is one of the smartest career moves you can make. Not only does it help you articulate your skill set and contributions with clarity, but it also gives you a clearer sense of what drives your joy and fulfillment at work. #PermissionGranted🪄

@Morrisons and AheadPartnership collaboration A great interactive and fun filled day with Cobden Primary school children. It is learning experience of how next generation thinks about technology. As age group of children increases and answer tends towards more materialistic views !! Some of the interesting questions were, 1. Would you continue to work in job place where you don't enjoy working but happy to earn significantly better compensation ? 2. Would you like to follow your passion and be content with lot less compensation? 3. Would you rather work in a team or better perform as an individual ? Interesting choices from the children !! #AheadPartnership #Morrisons Morrisons

Chaucer is proud to announce our partnership with Equity City, a collaboration that will enable us to further recruit new diverse talent, as well as nurture our existing people. At Chaucer, we’re constantly looking at ways we can remain agile as a business and continue to inspire and drive new and existing talent from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. Though not mandated, we annually report on and analyse Gender and Ethnicity pay gaps, working with our consultants to lead the change within the industry.   The Chaucer scholarship programme is a testament to our commitment towards creating a diverse workforce when it comes to the next generation of insurance professionals, offering three years of paid tuition fees and living expenses, mentoring, work placement opportunities and a place on our graduate scheme after university.   In partnership with Equity City, we can further amplify change not just at entry level, but across the board. Together, we're committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Swipe to hear from Richard Milner, Chaucer Group CEO 👉

Today we are showcasing and showing our appreciation for James Purtell, our fearless leader and charismatic Managing Director. If you were lucky enough to be present at our recent 30-year celebrations, you will have heard him openly talk through the successes of the last 30 years, as well as the challenges we have faced along the way. He is humble in his achievements and the first to champion change when a challenge is presented. One of James’ greatest assets is surrounding himself with good people, and understanding how to get the best out of each of them. From the clients we work with, the suppliers we choose to partner with, and of course the staff he chooses to grow and nurture, he is quick to see where someone can add value, and humbly credits his success to the people around him. When you are in the business of people, this strength goes a long way. James’ leadership qualities are second to none, and he makes sure his team have the resources they need, mentoring them and fostering growth while giving our team leaders the freedom to champion their own team’s success. Outside of work, James is a well-liked social being. His calendar is always filled to the brim with spending time with friends and loved ones, and it’s no wonder he’s always busy in this domain given he is such a genuinely nice person, and always interested in what everyone is up to. Apart from his social endeavours, his family comes first and his free time is largely spent doing all of the wonderful things that kids keep you busy with. There isn’t a weekend that goes by when he’s not ferrying kids around to cricket, soccer, dance and hockey, watching their games with genuine interest, making sure they are happy and nurtured. He makes sure it’s not all about their activities though, plotting adventures with them on the boat, and creating wonderful memories travelling up and down the NSW coast and the globe when time permits. James, thank you for being a wonderful leader and mentor to our team. We value and appreciate everything you do for us and can’t think of a better person to work with. #CPturns30 #CoxPurtell #TechRecruitment #GovRecruitment #BusinessSupport #LifeatCP #Recruiter #RecruitersOfSydney #Recruitment

🌟 Does your organisation embody B Corp values? 🌟 The Leicester and Leicestershire Careers Hub Unbox Your Future (UBYF) initiative, is proud to work with businesses and organisations that share the qualities of B Corp status – companies committed to balancing profit with purpose, prioritising their people, and making a positive impact on the community and environment. Why does this matter? ✅ B Corp status recognises organisations that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. ✅ These businesses are forward-thinking, driven by a mission to create value not just for shareholders, but for employees, customers, and society as a whole. ✅ The companies we work with might not all be certified B Corps, but they emulate these qualities in the way they operate and engage with the community. If your organisation is passionate about: 💡 Building a workplace culture where employees feel valued and inspired, 🤝 Creating opportunities for young people to explore careers, 🌍 Driving change for a better future, then you’re exactly the kind of partner we’d love to have on board. 📩 Let’s start a conversation! Together, we can empower the next generation while showing your team the difference they’re making. #UnboxYourFuture #BCorpValues #FutureReady #PositiveImpact #CareersEducation Sonia Dayal Sonal Morjaria Helen Treadwell Laura Sherlock Gerarde Manley Tom King Adam Horton Michael Walker Dan Poynton kevin chrisp Nancy McArtney-Smith SDSA Anthony Raisbury National Trust National Space Centre Arjan Dayal Highcross Shopping Centre Megan Griffin

Today's member spotlight is the resolute Salah Harris! Salah Harris is the Student Development and Recruitment Coordinator at the SEAT Center (Social Enterprise and Training Center). Helping young people find a SEAT at the table through access to GED programs and paid job training, with Salah at the wheel, possibilities see no bounds. Born and raised in Albany New York, coming up through Brighter Choice & programs like Black & Latino Achievers. After starting a company called Career InTouch Inc. with a close friend and business partner, Salah found his way back up to the Capital District to inflect change and incite action. Through tumultuous encounters with gun violence and adversity during his college years, Salah persevered and turned failure into feasibility. This success he accredits to his Uncle, his Mother, Calief Housen, & possibly most paramount Shawn Rochester & Barry “Uncle B” Walston. For this he had to learn, to do that he developed his craft in the schools where superhero’s meant real life. Under the wing of Batman, our hero became Red Robin the second in a line of leaders in the community committed to affecting change. That same year he was named and awarded as a Scholar of Excellence by his alma mater, Brighter Choice, causally enough next to another alumni and Robin, NightWing. His remarks on that development are as follows “ I’ll be blunt, so much of my early growth came from being energetic and talking a lot, which got me in trouble sometimes , ha! But after that, superficially it was how I perceived my attire (suits), and when I started to realize it wasn’t about being in a suit or on some sort of stage, but actually doing your homework & standing on successes and failures, whatever the consequences. I started to see myself for who I was. I’m Salah Harris, and I’m passionate about helping my generation access real jobs and career development, currently I’m doing that through and with the SEAT Center, and if you want to hear from me or find out more come to an info session at 55 Columbia Street in Albany, Mondays & Wednesdays @2PM, and help our young people access real opportunities.” Considering himself an avid reader Mr.Harris, enjoys literature that touches on black thought, black history, economics, and psychology. He recommends No Politics But Class Politics by Adolph Reed Jr and Walter Benn Michaels, and Where do We go from here Chaos or Community, by Martin Luther King Jr. Salah believes that through reading you can work on communication skills and develop relationships, pushing yourself to grow. As mentioned he’s currently at SEAT Center’s culinary lab on 55 Columbia Street, Mondays & Wednesdays at 2PM doing Informational Sessions on those opportunities for young people in Albany! Let’s support our young people and uplift this voice, trying to bridge the gap! Join us in congratulating Salah on today's member spotlight!

I cannot stress enough the importance of identifying your identity outside your career. Juwan, on the left, based his self-worth and identity on titles and accomplishments. Juwan on the right (aka Accountability partner) is finally starting to like the person he is becoming with or without titles. Who are you? #biggerthanthegym #selfcare #selfworthjourney Signed, Your AP (Accountability partner)

🚀 Empowering the Future of Montgomery County Students! 🚀 At WorkSource Montgomery, we’re proud to partner with MCPS through MoCo CAP to help students unlock their potential! Through the dedication of our passionate career coaches, middle and high school students are discovering the vast resources at their fingertips and exploring a world of career possibilities. Utilizing John Holland’s RIASEC model, our coaches are guiding students to find careers that align with their skills, interests, and aspirations, helping them navigate their future with confidence. Watch our latest animated video to learn more about how the MoCo CAP partnership is making a difference and shaping the future of Montgomery County’s youth! #MoCoCAP #CareerCoaching #WorkforceDevelopment #MontgomeryCounty #FutureLeaders